The Retreat was presented by the South Carolina Wildlife Federation and sponsored by Cabela’s and Hickory Knob State Resort Park. We were pleased to have the support of several outfitters and organizations including the SC Department of Natural Resources, Earth Connection Outfitters, Angling Women, Berkeley County Blueways, Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, SASS (Surviving Assault Standing Strong), and the Palmetto Living History Group. These partnerships enabled us to provide a wide variety of activities conducted by a diverse group of expert volunteer instructors. A special thank you is due to the numerous individual volunteers who so willingly donated their time to share their knowledge and expertise. Please thank them for their contributions to our event.

Event Co-chairs - Dan Turpin & Sara Green

Archery - Herb Strickland and Wes Ballard

Backyard Wildlife Habitat - Grace Allen

Birding - Jay Keck

Camping - Celsey Jones, Cabela’s

Canoeing - Chris Hall

Civil War - Jim Ridge, Neil Rose, and Jerry Morris, Palmetto Living History Group

Coastal Crafts & Flower Arranging - BeBe Harrison, Susan Dalton, and Nancy Dalton, Angling Women

Essential Oils - Brook Smoak

Freshwater Fishing & Fish Cleaning & Cooking - Bernie and Alice Clegg (thank you to SC Department of Natural Resources for fishing equipment, and for providing fish for our classes to clean & cook!)

Geocaching - Wayne Aveyard

Health and Nature - Mary How

Kayaking - Laura Hendrick (thank you to Savannah Lakes Village and Hickory Knob for kayaks!)

Knot Tying - Nancy Simpson

Lake Thurmond Paddle Tour - Andrea Turpin

Map and Compass Reading - Penny Ginn

Native American History and Basketry - Nancy Basket

Natural Treasures of SC - Sara Green

Nature Spa - Beth Rivers and Maria Campbell

Outdoor Cooking - Ed Ladd of Cabela’s, and Joe Schmidt

Paddleboarding - Jimmy and Ginnie Smith, Earth Connection Outfitters, McCormick

Self Defense - Lisa Ewart, SASS Go (Surviving Assault Standing Strong)